Texas Tech University

Optional Rotations

Optional rotations provide interns with specialized experience and supervision in working with specific populations and/or presenting concerns. It is possible for interns to participate in more than one rotation simultaneously, and many interns choose two rotations per semester in the fall and spring. Some rotations may be repeated for more than one semester but breadth of training is encouraged. Optional rotations may vary depending on available supervision and are subject to change. Number of interns that each rotation can accommodate is variable, but most interns find that they can meet all of their training interests throughout the internship year. Consultation with Director of Training is provided in scheduling rotations. 

 

Current Optional Rotations

 

EATING DISORDERS ROTATION

Program Description: This rotation is designed to afford interns the opportunity to gain more in-depth experience working with clients who have eating concerns within the college counseling center setting. The rotation places special emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders within the brief therapy model. A set of recommended readings specific to treatment planning and intervention will be tailored to the intern's rotation individual and group caseload. 

Program Requirements: Interns will utilize a variety of treatment modalities pertinent to the college counseling center setting including individual and group therapy. Due to the unique nature of eating concerns, interns may consult with other providers including but not limited to physicians, dieticians, and referral sources in the community. The breakdown of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Individual Therapy Supervision: 0.5 hours
Group Therapy Supervision: 0.5 hours
Therapy Group: 1.5 hours
Individual Clients: 2.0 hours

Total: 4.5 hours per week

Training/Supervision Provided: Every week interns will receive one half hour for supervision of individual clients, one half hour for supervision of group, and consultation as needed. Two clinical seminars will also be provided. 

Supervisors: Sam Farley, Ph.D., Molly Moore, Ph.D., and Elise McCay, LPC-A

 

SEXUAL/GENDER IDENTITY ROTATION

 Program Description: This rotation is designed to afford interns the opportunity to gain more in-depth experience working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students across a variety of treatment modalities. That is, interns will work with individual clients who identify as LGBTQ or those presenting with sexual identity concerns/ questions as well as co-lead the LGBTQ Group and /or the Transgender Support Group. 

Program Requirements: Interns are expected to provide affirming psychotherapy experiences to LGBTQ clients or those presenting with sexual/gender identity concerns. Interns are also expected to fully engage in both the individual and group supervision. In addition, interns will be expected to read and apply theories pertinent to their work with the LGBTQ population. The breakdown of the total number of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Individual Therapy Supervision: 0.5 hours
Group Therapy Supervision: 0.5 hours
LGBT/Transgender Support Group: 1.5 hours
Individual Clients/Couples: 2.0 hours

Total:4.5 hours per week

Training/Supervision Provided: 1 hour weekly
(½ hour for supervision of individual clients and ½ hour for supervision of group.)

Supervisor: Amanda Wheeler, Ph.D. 

 

MEN AND MASCULINITY ROTATION (not available Fall 2022)

 Program Description: This program will provide the intern with an opportunity to increase their understanding of masculinity and masculine identity through increased face-to-face experience with masculine-identified clients, scholarly reading regarding prominent masculine identity theories and clinical considerations, and relevant consultation or outreach experiences. 

Program Requirements: Interns are expected to take a small client load dedicated to aspects of masculinity (e.g. determined on a case-by-case basis through the client's values, behaviors, therapy goals, etc.) and will be supervised by the Men and Masculinity Rotation supervisor. Scholarly reading regarding masculine identity (and relevant intersections with race/ethnicity/sexual orientation, etc.) will be required for this rotation and may include a combination of academic and/or popular culture materials aimed at further understanding and/or challenging perceptions and beliefs regarding masculinity, as well as development of a healthy masculine identity. During the first half of the semester, readings will occur bimonthly and will be chosen by the rotation supervisor. During the second half of the semester, readings will be chosen by the intern and frequency will be modified based upon the complexity of the material that is selected. Interns will develop increased efficacy in discussing and developing therapy goals, increasing engagement in therapy, and challenging maladaptive behaviors and beliefs related to this population (e.g., difficulty with emotional expression or seeking support). This will occur through participation in outreach projects and liaison relationships aimed at select student groups with traditionally prominent masculine values, as well as through the intern's individual client load. The breakdown of the total number of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Individual therapy supervision: 1 hour
Individual clients/couples: 3 hours
Outreach/Liaisonship Experiences: 0.5 hours (average)

Total: 4.5 hours per week

Supervision/Training: 1 hours weekly for supervision of individual clients, discussion of scholarly readings, and supervision of outreach/liaisonship experiences 

Supervisor: TBD

 

SUPERVISION SPECIALTY ROTATION

Program Description: Interns who elect this optional rotation will receive additional experience in clinical supervision, in both individual and group formats. 

Program Requirements: Individual clinical supervision of a 2nd practicum supervisee (one practicum supervisee is required for all interns) for 1.5 hours per week. Co-facilitation of practicum case seminar for all SCC practicum students for 1.0 hour per week – co-facilitated with Dr. Nancy Robinson. 1.0 hour per week of Supervision Prep time (e.g., for viewing of video, review of supervisee documentation, etc.) and ½ hour of individual supervision with Dr. Viator. 

Supervision of Practicum Student: 1.5 hours
Co-Facilitate Practicum Case Seminar: 1 hour
Supervision Prep Time: 1 hour
Individual Supervision: 0.5 hours

Total:4 hours per week 

Training/Supervision Provided: ½ hour per week of individual supervision with Dr. Lisa Viator 

Supervisors: Nancy Robinson, Ph.D. & Sam Farley, Ph.D. 

 

SEXUAL ASSAULT/ABUSE TREATMENT ROTATION

Program Description: This rotation is designed to afford interns the opportunity to gain more in-depth experience working with sexual assault/abuse survivors. Interns will work with individual clients who are survivors and co-lead a group for sexual assault survivors (if enough members sign up). 

Program Requirements: Interns are expected to provide empowering psychotherapy experiences to sexual assault/abuse survivors. Interns are also expected to fully engage in the supervision process. In addition, interns will be expected to read and apply theories pertinent to their work with survivors. The breakdown of the total number of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Supervision: 0.5 - 1 hour (1 if group makes)
Individual Clients: 2.0 hours
Journey to Wholeness group 1.5 hours (will add 1 individual client hour if group does not make)

Total: 3.5-4.5 hours

Training/ Supervision Provided: Weekly: .5 -1 hour for supervision. Consultation as needed. 

Supervisor: Mary Lauren Taylor, LPC, LMFT & Greg Johnston, Ph.D., LPC

 

ADDICTION ROTATION

Program Description: Students get in depth education in: Stages of Change, Drug Classifications, Diagnosis/Dual Diagnosis, Disease Concept, Withdrawal/Detox, Forms of Treatment, 12 Steps, Managing Recovery, Relapse Prevention and Dealing with Relapse, Family Dynamics of Addiction, Process Addictions, as well as Scholarly Articles to support learning and equip the intern with the needed skills to work with and help those struggling with addiction. 

Program Requirements:
1. Case Load: Treat at least 2 clients with addiction as their primary diagnosis.
2. Observational Learning:
a. Tour Ranch at Dove Tree (12 step residential treatment center)
b. Light House (Methadone Clinic)
c. Individual Field Study: Attend 7 Open Recovery Meetings (AA or NA)
3. Supervision hours: 0.5 weekly.
4. Clinical Hours: 2 hours weekly (when treating clients)

Total: 2.5-3 hours per week 

Supervisor: Rob Wozniak, LPC

 

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY ROTATION

Program Description: This rotation aims to provide pre-doctoral interns with an increased understanding of a particular religious identity, ideology, denomination, and/or belief system, as well as associated culture and customs, towards provision of informed mental health treatment. This is accomplished through: supervision of focused work with clients whom prioritize their religious or spiritual beliefs as a prominent aspect of their worldview, who are experiencing distress due to existential issues, or for whom religious/spirituality is in some other way related to their current presenting concern(s). 

Program Requirements: In addition to clinical interventions with clients, it is also expected that reading and discussing scholarly articles will contribute to both clinical work and the development of understanding and, appreciation for the kinds of problems and internal conflicts that might arise for these clients. 

Individual therapy supervision: 1.0 hour
Individual client/couples: 2.0 hours
Outreach/Liaison Experiences 0.5 hours (avg.)

Total: 3.5 hours a week 

Supervisor: Austin Wade, Psy.D. 

  

RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT CENTER ROTATION - SPRING ONLY

Time Requirement: 3 hours/week consisting of: 0-2 hours direct service; 0-2 hours observation of couples therapy; and 1 hour of group supervision. 

Program Description: This clinical experience occurs once weekly from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and provides a supportive yet challenging atmosphere in which to learn and apply theories of change in couples therapy. Unique features of this experience include the opportunity to do co-therapy and to observe and conduct couples therapy using a reflecting (observation) team and live supervision. 

Program Requirements: Interns are invited to participate in this program as a rotation option. Prior coursework in this discipline or therapy experience with couples is not required. Participants are invited to use their own theoretical approach and also expected to integrate approaches discussed during the didactic and reflective supervision portions of the rotation. The nature of the training components varies depending on size of the team and number of referrals. Participants are expected to attend all 3 hours each week.Interns may be expected to spend some time outside of the 3 hour meeting reading materials and preparing for seeing couples. The breakdown of the total number of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Couples Therapy: 0-2 hours
Team Observation of Couples Therapy: 0-2 hours
Group Supervision: 1 hour
Individual Supervision: 0.5 hour

Total:3 hours per week

Training/Supervision Provided: Weekly – 0-2 hours of team observation of couples therapy; 1 hour of group supervision. Additional consultation available as needed. 

Supervisors: Nancy Robinson, Ph.D., John Purcell, LMFT Associate, & Kim Kennedy, LPC

 

COUNSELING CENTER ADMINISTRATION ROTATION

Time Requirement: Not weekly, but focused during slower clinical times. 

Program Description: Interns who choose this rotation will gain an understanding and experience in the functions of the Director, Clinical Director, and Training Director of a university counseling center. The Director will cover topics such as managing the budget, organization structure, staffing issues and team building, and navigating political issues. The Clinical Director will focus on developing policies and procedures, collecting outcome and clinical usage data, and working with other university departments. The training Director will cover flow of training administration, addressing difficulties in trainees, and accreditation issues. Interns in this rotation will also serve on counseling center committees, meet with Support Staff to gain an understanding of factors influencing these roles, meet with the Associate VP, and attend outside meetings with the Director and the Clinical Director. 

Program Requirements: Interns will have individual meetings during the winter break and/or during the summer with the Director, the Clinical Director, and the Training Director (for a total of 6 hours). Interns will attend one Behavioral Intervention Team meeting with the Clinical Director.  Interns in this rotation will also serve on the Training Committee (meets quarterly throughout the year) and the Policies and Procedures Committee (meets 1 hour per week for 4-5 weeks during the summer). The breakdown of the total number of weekly hours for the rotation is as follows: 

Meetings with Director: 2 hours
Meetings with Clinical Director: 2 hours
Meetings with Training Director: 2 hours
Behavioral Intervention Team Meeting: 1 hour
Training Committee Meetings: 4 hours (ongoing throughout the year)
Policies & Procedures Committee: 4-5 hours (summer)

Total:17-18 hours hours over the intern year.

Training/Supervision Provided: varies throughout the year 

Supervisors: Lisa Viator, Ph.D., Marie Moerkbak, Ph.D., & Sam Farley, Ph.D.  

 

Student Counseling Center